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I would like to define an function using org-roam's capture system. However, I want to create a new function, not use the variable org-roam-capture-templates and the related function org-roam-capture.

I want to create a function that takes a string as an argument so that I can use it in the captured text. In this case, I want to be able to specificy a string (e.g. "TODO", "DONE", or other states) that is added to the beginning of the captured item.

This is my attempt so far:

(defun org-roam-capture-inbox-test (item-string)
    (interactive)
    (org-roam-capture- :node (org-roam-node-create)
                       :templates '(("i" "inbox" plain "* %(eval item-string) %?"
                                     :if-new (file "Inbox.org")))))

Evaluating this function creates this capture item: * %![Error: (void-variable item-string)]. Unless I'm mistaken, this means that item-string is out of scope when it is called in org-roam-capture-.

Why is item-string out of scope in this case? How can I pass it to org-roam-capture-?

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  • What happens if you add a second argument t to the eval call? i.e. make it ... %(eval item-string t) ....
    – NickD
    Jun 23 at 1:18
  • When I add t to the eval call, I get the same capture: * %![Error: (void-variable item-string)].
    – jmrasband
    Jun 23 at 2:31
  • @NickD No, Nick. The (eval item-string) is within a string. So you would you have to replace the quoted list by something like `(("i" "inbox" plain ,(format "* %%(eval %s) %%?" item-string) :if-new (file "Inbox.org")). Note the backquote instead of the quote!
    – Tobias
    Jun 23 at 7:10
  • Yes, I know - the thing is that org-capture will parse the %(eval ...) form eventually and it will evaluate it. But the evaluation environment will be far removed from the definition environment: I was wondering if there would be any connection. If the OP is right, there does not seem to be any - so, yes, it's just another backquoting problem.
    – NickD
    Jun 23 at 7:25
  • Using the backquote and (("i" "inbox" plain ,(format "* %s %%?" item-string) :if-new (file "Inbox.org"))) as the template fixed the problem. Note that I needed to remove the eval from the solution. If @Tobias wants the reputation for the solution, you can write it up and I'll mark it as correct. Otherwise, I'll write up and post your solution.
    – jmrasband
    Jun 24 at 13:31

1 Answer 1

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As @Tobias suggested, this is partially a backquote problem. This is the solution:

(defun org-roam-capture-inbox-test (item-string)
    (interactive)
    (org-roam-capture- :node (org-roam-node-create)
                       :templates `(("i" "inbox" plain ,(format "* %s %%?" item-string) :if-new (file "Inbox.org")))))
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